Eight out of nine ‘no-go’ forest reserves cleared of illegal miners – Mahama

The government has removed illegal miners from eight out of nine forest reserves. These areas were previously no-go zones due to environmental damage. President John Dramani Mahama announced this at the Global Mining Summit on June 2, 2025.

He called this action a major milestone for the country. It is part of efforts to reclaim degraded lands and promote responsible mining. The initiative aims to ensure sustainability in the mining sector and protect Ghana’s ecosystems.

President Mahama emphasized that artisanal miners are not enemies of the state. With proper training and support, they can be allies in development. He stated, “Working together with the small-scale mining sector, we will reclaim our forest reserves.”

The government has also deployed river guards to combat illegal mining along water bodies. They are focusing on regulating heavy machinery used in mining operations.

“We will track excavators to prevent illegal use,” Mahama said. He noted that Ghana has more excavators than all of Africa combined. The new permitting regime will require valid permits for importing excavators.

Additionally, the government is collaborating with small-scale miners for land reclamation. This reflects a shift toward more inclusive and environmentally friendly mining policies.